Process

You will need to send a completed application form and a research proposal to WELS-Prof-Docs@open.ac.uk. The application form contains a full list of all the documents you need to include with your application. The research proposal template for applying for a professional doctorate helps you to structure your proposal.

Period

You can submit an application between 2nd January and 18th February 2019 for a start on 1st October 2019.

Criteria for assessment of your application

Your application will be assessed against the following criteria:

its suitability in terms of relevance to one of the identified academic areas of research in WELS/CREET

the extent to which your proposed research draws on your own professional expertise and context

the extent to which you demonstrate professional and practical relevance of your proposed research

how effectively you have demonstrated your potential for study at doctorate level

how effectively you have demonstrated your ability to communicate in written English

In addition, the proposal needs to be of a sufficiently high standard to suggest that you will be able to reach doctorate level within the time available. We will aim to provide you with written feedback on your application

What happens next?

Your application and proposal will be assessed by a selection panel using the above criteria, the panel will also consider whether there is a supervisor available with experience relevant to your proposed project.

We will contact you to let you know if your application has been shortlisted, and if so, we will invite you for an interview. To comply with University regulations, interviewees are expected to provide proof of the qualification(s) needed to meet our admission requirements. Interviews will take place in late March and if you are successful you will receive an offer in June.